· It will be placed into orbit by an Ariane 5 ECA launcher, from French Guiana. The forecast launch window is between 22:36 and 23:20, continental European time.
· The Amazonas 3 is the first satellite with Ka band for Latin America.
· The launch will be broadcast live on the web pages of HISPASAT and HISPAMAR Satélites (www.hispasat.com / www.hispamar.com.br), Brazilian affiliate of the Group responsible for the Amazonas 3´s operation.

Today, the HISPASAT Group launches its new communications satellite, the Amazonas 3, from the European Space Agency´s base in French Guiana. The launch window is forecast for between 22:36 and 23:20, continental European time.

The launch vehicle responsible for placing the Amazonas 3 in its transfer orbit will be the Ariane 5 ECA. Once there, the satellite will be directed toward the geostationary orbit chosen to carry out post-launch performance tests that will take several weeks. Once the tests are completed, the satellite will be placed in its definitive geostationary orbit in the Brazilian orbital position of 61º West.

Manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, with significant contributions from Spain´s aerospace industry, the Amazonas 3 has 52 simultaneous transponders, 33 in Ku band and 19 in C band, as well as 9 Ka spot beams. The novel Ka band payload positions the Group as the first operator in Latin America to open the doors to the world of interactive services and multimedia applications via satellite.

During its 15 year lifespan, the Amazonas 3 will provide a wide variety of advanced telecommunications services, TV platform diffusion, deployment of fixed and mobile corporate networks, broadband without geographic limitations, integrated communications solutions for telecommunications operators and deployment of tele-education and tele-medicine networks, among others.

About the HISPASAT Group

The HISPASAT Group is comprised of companies with a presence in Spain as well as Latin America, where its Brazilian affiliate HISPAMAR operates the Amazonas fleet of satellites. The Group is the leading satellite communications operator in the broadcast and distribution of contents in Spanish and Portuguese, including the transmission of the major Direct to Home (DTH) and High Definition digital television platforms. HISPASAT is one of the world’s largest companies in the sector by revenue and the main communications bridge between Europe and America.

About Arianespace

Arianespace is the world’s leading satellites launch company, providing innovation to its customers since 1980. Backed by 21 shareholders and the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence. As of 1st September 2012, 208 Ariane launches, 26 Soyuz launches (2 at the Guiana Space Center and 24 at Baikonur with Starsem) and the first launch of Vega had been performed. The company has a backlog of 19 Ariane 5, 15 Soyuz and 3 Vega launches, equal to more than three years of business.

About Space Systems/Loral

Space Systems/Loral has a long history of delivering reliable satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As the world’s leading provider of commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to provide spacecraft for a broad range of services including television and radio distribution, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and mobile communications. Billions of people around the world depend on SSL satellites every day.